Operation Eyesight is celebrating a new partnership with three Ottawa Dragon Boat teams. They are competing in the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival from June 21 to 23. The three teams are promoting the cause of good eye health for all – here in Canada, in India, and elsewhere around the world. Two teams are named Kaavéri Xpress, while a third all-women’s team is called Kaavéri Sherows.
This new partnership reflects the growth of our global community. An organic connection exists between the teams and Operation Eyesight President and CEO, Kashinath Bhoosnurmath (who goes by Kash), as most members are part of the Indian diaspora community in Canada. While members have settled in Canada, built homes, careers and community, a part of their heart lies in India. “Many of us long to support those back in our Indian home,” Kash says. “We know many people are facing very difficult life challenges there that are different than the life challenges we face here in Canada.”
One way to offer support is partnering with Operation Eyesight to work towards eliminating avoidable vision loss. This is not only about sight but also about learning for children and particularly girls, maintaining a livelihood for adults, and securing independence for seniors. Globally, more than 1.1 billion people are living with vision loss, and fortunately, 90 per cent of these cases are treatable or preventable. However, only a limited number of people are aware of this fact. Many, especially in middle- and low-income countries, are forced to live with blindness or some form of vision loss due to lack of access to affordable and quality eye care services. “This is a kind of global emergency,” says Kash. “If this issue is addressed, communities and countries will experience reduced burdens of poverty and disease, as well as increased levels of productivity and development. These factors are interlinked.”
Operation Eyesight has developed a successful model that results in the elimination of avoidable vison loss. Our tested and evidence-based model is the foundation for our projects in 10 countries. “In India alone, we proudly boast over 1,300 villages that have been declared free of avoidable blindness on a sustainable basis. Our story needs to be known and told,” says Kash. An eye exam and a pair of prescription glasses, or a simple cataract surgery is often all that is needed to bring someone’s future back into focus. “Tested and often cost-effective solutions are available. What is needed is awareness, collective will, and support among those who can lend a hand.”
The partnership between the boat teams and Operation Eyesight flows not only from shared values and vision, but also from the power of water, which is fundamental to the boat teams and to healthy eyes. While the two Kaavéri Xpress teams and the all-women Kaavéri Sherows Ottawa Dragon Boat teams will be paddling down the Rideau River on race day, two rivers will be in their hearts, as the teams are named after the sacred Kaveri River in southern India. Team captain Lokesh Siddaramanna explains, “Kaaveri connects us back to our roots, as it’s a lifeline for farming and drinking water for much of Southern India.” He adds that the name was chosen because it resonates deeply with people across the region, lifting their spirits and connecting with their hearts.
There are many parallels between the dragon boat teams and the global community of Operation Eyesight. Boat teams must recruit committed members, train collaboratively and work in sync with one another to successfully compete against other teams. The global community of Operation Eyesight must recruit committed partners, train local health care workers and work collaboratively with partners, hospitals, governments and communities to eliminate avoidable vision loss. Everyone must keep their eyes on the finish line. How fast they finish the race really depends on how successfully they can work together.
During the festival, Kash and Myrna Linder, Operation Eyesight Director of Fund Development, will join a pre-race pep talk, cheer on the teams, and attend an evening dinner to connect with the members. They will also present on Operation Eyesight programs in India, South Asia and Africa. As the dragon boat teams race down the river, their support will speed Operation Eyesight along in the race to eliminate avoidable vision loss.
“We are so grateful for the partnership between the Kaavéri Xpress and Kaavéri Sherows Ottawa Dragon Boat teams, and the connection to the Indian diaspora community,” Kash says. “This is really helping us to race not only into the next village of work, but also the next 10, 100 and 1,000 villages, so that one day, hopefully very soon, we can cross the finish line by eliminating avoidable vision loss entirely.”
Support the Kaavéri Xpress and Kaavéri Sherows Ottawa Dragon Boat teams by cheering them on and helping them race towards the finish line – and towards eliminating avoidable vision loss – by donating here.
